According to OSHA
A tag line means ” A rope (Usually fiber) attached to a lifted load for purpose of controlling load spinning and pendular motions”.
Tag line can help keep a load control.
How tag line should be ?
- Be made of a fiber material and non conductive.
- Be long enough to reach the ground from the highest point of the lift.
- Be free of knots or defects in the rope.
- Be larger than 1/4″ diameter – a large rope is easier to hold on to.
How many tag lines are needed ?
You only need as many taglines as necessary to control position,steady, or receive a load. It might be that one is sufficient ; It might be that two or three will do the trick; It might be that you are going to need four; How many are needed where they should be placed,and their purpose.Should be discussed as plant of planning the lift.
There are no written rules that tell us how many taglines should be used for lifted loads.
“As a rule of thumb”
Use as many as needed to adequately control the load.
When and where should taglines be attached ?
Taglines should always be attached prior to lifting the load. They are normally attached either around the object entirely, through a rigging eye, or possible even to the rigging itself. The optimal placement should provide for the maximum amount of control during hoisting, traveling and placement,while being in an place where they can be easily removed.
General instructions:-
- Keep you out of harm’s way when guiding a suspended load into position.
- Put distance between yourself and the load in the event the load moves unexpectedly.
- Never loop the line around your hand,arm,or body.
- Always wear gloves (better grip) etc.
- Make sure your travel path is clear ( you will be watching the load,rather than where you are going).
HSE Guruji 